Results

These are the class results, but they may not all qualify for HOYS due to passport irregularities or at the judge’s discretion or where the same rider has qualified twice or where the horse or rider do not meet all eligibility requirements.

Working Hunter
1st, Henefail Rico, owned and ridden by Jacqui Clayton of Bacup, Lancashire
2nd, Tintio A, owned and ridden by Richard Nichol of Ivegill, Carlisle

Riding Club Show Horse
1st, Irish Lola Rose, owned by Donna Studholme and ridden by Yasmin Studholme of Scotforth, Lancaster
2nd, Gulliver, owned and ridden by Dr Lesley Blogg of Winton, Cumbria

Riding Horse Hack
1st , Pebbly Editor, owned and ridden by Emma Jones of Baxenden, Lancashire
2nd, Randal Jakintas Dream, owned by Mrs Gaynor Taylor and ridden by Jessica Taylor of Duckinfield, Cheshire

Show Hunter
1st, Palindromic , owned and ridden by Lucy Penrose of Macclesfield, Cheshire
2nd, Knighthood, owned and ridden by Anne Hebron of Clayton, Bradford

Cobs
1st, Rock DJ, owned and ridden by Helen Wilson of Lancaster
2nd, Cowboy Magic, owned and ridden by Patricia Cole of Whitby, North Yorkshire

Ponies
1st, Brookwater Tomboy, owned by Naomi and Yana Jackson and ridden by Yana Jackson of Rossendale, Lancashire
2nd, Rotherwood Mr Pepys, owned by Mr and Mrs Liam and Debra Conway and ridden by Ellie Conway of Stockport, Cheshire

Report

The 2013 South Essex Insurance Brokers Search For A Star series got off to a damp and chilly start at Osbaldeston Equestrian Centre in Lancashire on 28 April, but the standard was superb and 137 entries competed for the chance to attend The Horse Of The Year Show finals, to be held at the NEC Birmingham in October. There was a brilliant atmosphere and even the weather could not dampen the enthusiasm of competitors. The judges, Richard Ramsay (conformation) and David Bartram (ride) had their work cut out and several classes were split for the preliminary judging.

Working Hunter
19 entries tackled the bold course, which caused a few problems, but there was some good jumping and 11 clears went forward to the final judging, giving judges Richard Ramsay and David Bartram plenty to consider. The top spot went to the impressive Henefail Rico, an IDxTB x Belgian Warmblood owned and ridden by Jacqui Clayton of Rossendale. Jacqui has owned the 8 year old since he was a yearling and has backed and brought him on herself. “He is a labour of love”, she said. “He is a lovely personality but very sharp to ride – his nick name is Freaky as he was so sharp when he was backed”. The pair did some novice classes last season and won a Blue Chip ID Sport Horse qualifier first time out and the Novice Hunter class at Derby County. This will be their first proper season in the show ring and their aim is “to be the best that we can be and enjoy it”, said Jacqui, who also enjoys doing some dressage and show jumping. “I like to keep him occupied and enjoying life”.

Second place went to Border Bay, owned by Elizabeth Campey and ridden by her daughter, Victoria Campey, 23. Victoria, who works full time in Supply and Transport for Asda, has had the 5 year old coloured horse for 1 year and backed him with her mother, Liz, who rides him during the week. Their main focus is on eventing and they have been placed at pre-notice level, with plans to move up to novice level this season. “I am lucky that we have an indoor school, so I can ride after work. We really just came for an outing, so this is amazing”, said Victoria.

Third place went to Tintio A, a bay gelding owned and ridden by Richard Nichol since January. “I had known the horse with his previous owner and offered to buy when I found out she was going off travelling”, explained Richard. The horse had been kept entire and covered mares until he was 4 years old before being gelded and sold. Richard bought the Dutch bred gelding as a jumper but his plan had always been to get to HOYS and he thought he could try with this horse as a worker. “He needed a bit of schooling and he can be difficult at home but he seems to know when he gets his plaits in and behaves when he is at a show”, said Richard. They stood third in this class and then went off to Myerscough and won the Newcomers SJ class before getting the news that the qualification had passed down the line to him. “It was good that I had not gone all the way home and I could come back this way”, he said.

Riding Club Show Horse
11 entries tackled the two fences and trotting poles, and 8 remained for the final judging phase. First place went to Irish Lola Rose, owned Donna Studholme and ridden by her daughter, Yasmin 16. They have had the 6 year old bay mare for 16 months having bought her as an all-rounder to do local shows. “I really wanted to start showing”, explained Yasmin. “We were 7th in the Workers earlier today but she worked much better in the RCSH and was not so spooky. This is our first year showing and I really wanted to qualify for HOYS”, added Yasmin, a student at Myerscough college, studying equine studies. After her studies, Yasmin’s ambition is to work in the equestrian industry and compete as a professional rider. Having previously competed on loaned ponies, this is the first horse Yasmin has owned and she plans to do more training and get out as much as possible this season. “We also do some show jumping and have some BSJA shows planned, as well as a working hunter clinic with Pam Prickett who trains at Myerscough. “We have done mainly show jumping to date and but I very happy with this result – it was my dream to compete at HOYS and eventually I want to compete at the Olympics”, she added.

Second place went to Lesley Blogg riding her own, Gulliver. Lesley bought the 10 year old bay gelding, by Crackenthorpe Cartier, from his breeders, Crackenthorpe Stud, when he was just 6 months old. He was the first horse she had backed but Lesley backed and brought him on herself. “He was awful in hand and to get a saddle on – he was scared of everything, but once he was backed and ridden away he was never a problem”, she explained. He was just getting established in his ridden work when disaster struck and he got the devastating grass sickness at 3 ½ years old. “We nursed him through – he was fed by syringe for 6 – 7 weeks. I am a research scientist and work mainly from home, so luckily I was able to do it”, explained Lesley. This terrible sickness causes damage to the nervous system leading to incredible weight loss and is often fatal. The cause is still largely unknown and unexplained, and Gulliver features on the Equine Grass Sickness poster and website as a case history success story. “It was a couple of years before he had any stamina and he was just getting going again when he went lame and had a further year off, so he is a very young10 year old, in fact he is more like a 7 year old”, said Lesley. “It is only the last 2 years that he has done any work”, she added. Lesley wanted to do dressage and the pair have won at prelim level and novice level and qualified for the area regional championships. They are also hoping to do a bit of eventing this year. “some friends said he was starting to look really good and I wanted to have a go at SFAS as it seemed to be good for amateurs”, said Lesley, who works as a research scientist involved with diving physiology and so she has to go away from time to time. Gulliver will now have a short holiday while she is away working and then they plan to do some more dressage, local showing and unaffiliated ODE before heading to HOYS.

Riding Horse/Hack
30 entries for the Riding Horse/Hack class gave the judges plenty to consider and the class was split for preliminary judging. When 12 were called back for the final placing, the top spot went to the Riding Horse, Pebbly Editor, owned and ridden by Emma Jones, 31. Emma, a hairdresser from Baxenden, has owned the 7 year old mare for 2 years and bought her to compete in show classes. The pair did some novice classes last year and finished 2nd at Cheshire County as a small riding horse. They plan to compete at Bakewell Show, Cheshire County and Equifest as preparation for HOYS.

Second overall and first hack went to Randal, owned and ridden by Jessica Taylor, 17. Jessica has had the grey gelding, who is by John Whittaker’s show jumping stallion, Randi, for 2 years. He was used as a stallion until he was 6 years old and then he was gelded and Jessica bought him a year later. Last year they did a few shows and won at local level. “He was very good today. He can be a bit grumpy in the stable, particularly with strangers. I have been showing him as an intermediate show riding type and the judge does not ride in those classes, but he went very well for the ride judge today”, said Jessica, who is studying for BHS Level 3 diploma in Equine Management at Kirklees college. “I really wanted to qualify for HOYS but I could not believe it when I was called in – I cried!” she said.

Hunters
Another quality class with 17 entries meant this class was also split for the preliminary judging and David Bartram was joined by Matthew Maher Burns as second ride judge. First place went to Palindromic, owned and ridden by Lucy Penrose from Bolton, Lancashire. Palindromic was a graduation present and Lucy has had the 8 year old chestnut gelding for just over a year. “I wanted to do show classes and we had a go at SFAS last year and came 6th. We were advised to give him a bit more time and work and come back for another go. He did 4 more shows last year but has matured over the winter”, said Lucy, who works as an equine vet for Thomason & Walters of Sandbach. “I am really pleased that he held his own in such a strong class. To add to the stress we broke down on the way here, so had to be rescued by friend. He is amazing at shows, had to work on the judge’s ride and we have done a lot of dressage and some show jumping so he got used to doing things on his own”, explained Lucy, who plans to do the Novice Lightweight Hunter classes at Cheshire and Staffordshire County shows this year. Lucy is also getting married in August and says she is very lucky to have a very understanding partner. “I am hoping that Palindromic will be able to come to the wedding to be in the pictures!” she added. Next year she aims to do RIHS and HOYS qualifiers and plans to have a go at working hunters.

Second place went to Knighthood, known as “Hoody”, owned and ridden by Anne Hebron from Clayton, Bradford. Anne has had the 5 year old since August last year when she bought him unbroken from his breeder. He was backed in October and this is only third outing. “He is a bit cheeky in the stable – his breeder said that if he was a human he would wear a hoody and probably have an ASBO, but he is great to ride”, said Anne. The pair were 4th in the Novice Ridden Horse class at the Myerscough Spring Breeders Show, and 3rd at Barton EC Spring Show, so Anne thought they would give SFAS a go. “I was bringing my cob for the other class and so I just thought I would bring him along as well for the experience. My partner, John, has always said he wanted to have a horse to go to HOYS – it has been our dream”, said Anne, who plans to do Novice and Lightweight classes this season and hopes to compete at the Great Yorkshire Show. “He is a great showman, very steady and easy to do at home but when he gets to a show he just lights up in the ring!”

It was good to see Sarah Stobbart, granddaughter of the late Eddie Stobbart of trucking fame, doing well in this class, standing 5th with her own Howbeck Oki Doki.

Cobs
First in a very strong Cob class was Helen Wilson, from Lancaster, with her own Rock DJ. Known as DJ at home, Helen, 28, has owned the 10 year old bay gelding for 4 years having bought him from the breeder. “I bought him as a good all-rounder to be able to compete in everything”, she explained. The pair have competed in riding club dressage events, dressage teams and done some show jumping and are members of Lakes Riding Club. They started taking showing more seriously last year and did some affiliated Maxi Cob classes. “He is 160cm high which puts him out of the show cob classes but he is definitely a true Maxi Cob”, said Helen who works full time as a stud groom for Liz and Roger Tittington at Birkrigg Arabian Stud near Lancaster. “I keep him in the livery yard at work, which is very handy but I still have to do him before I start work or afterwards at 5pm”. Helen plans to do Open Maxi Cob classes with DJ in preparation for the HOYS final. “I never thought that the horse I bought to do riding club activities would be good enough to go to HOYS. I am so happy with him, he just loves atmosphere and the bigger the atmosphere the better he goes”, said a delighted Helen.

Second place went to Tricia Cole riding her own Cowboy Magic, from Glaisdale, N Yorkshire. Known as “Oliver” at home, Tricia has had the 11 year old coloured cob for 2 years. “This is the first cob I have ever owned”, explained Tricia who has ridden since she was 10 yrs old but mainly on her mother’s thoroughbreds and point to point racehorses. “I am used to riding short, so I had to get used to getting my legs down!” she said. “I wanted something different and when I saw his picture on internet I just knew he was right, and I liked a coloured”. Tricia and Oliver have packed in lots of different activities, including one day events, dressage, and have even done a fancy dress show jumping competition with Tricia dressed as a witch. She is a member of Whitby riding club and has done numerous competitions as well as some endurance and pleasure rides. Oliver can be quite a character at home. “He is naughty – he tries to open the bolts on his stable door and one day he managed to get out and eat 15kg of sheep feed by accident. He is a bit of a Houdini”, explained Tricia. But out riding he is wonderful and they can go hacking around Glaisdale, on the North Yorkshire moors or on the beach. “We don’t have to do a lot of roadwork”, laughs Tricia, who works as a freelance hairdresser visiting all the local farms. The pair started showing 2 years ago and Rosemary Heatherington was judging at their local Egerton Show. “Rosemary recommended that I hog his mane and have a go at cob classes. She suggested SFAS and my riding instructor, James Hunton, also thought it was a good idea. It has been my dream to do something like HOYS but I didn’t believe I could do it. I was so happy to get in the final 6, that in itself was an achievement, but thought I would fall off when I was called in second”, said a delighted Tricia.

Ponies
First place went to the impressive show pony from Rossendale, Brookwater Tomboy, ridden by Yana Jackman, 15, and owned by Yana and her sister, Naomi. The sisters have owned the 8 year old bay gelding for 2 years and originally found him at a riding school where Naomi was studying for her BHS Stage 1 exam. Their mother, Gill, takes up the story, “We already had 9 ponies and did not really need another but the girls just said we must get him – he did not look much at the time but we thought that he could make up into a nice pony”, she said. “Tom” as he is known at home, is part bred welsh, by Rotherwood Peter Pan out of Rotherwood Tiara. This is the first show pony the girls have owned and this will be their first season showing seriously. “We have done some local shows in the Ribble Valley with him and some Sports Pony Classes. He was champion at UK Showing last week”, said Naomi. “HOYS was definitely the aim and this is definitely the best thing we have done so far”, said Yana, who is studying for her GCSEs in her last year at All Saints School, Rossendale.

Second place went to Debbie Conway’s show pony, Rotherwood Mr Pepys, ridden by her 8 year old daughter, Ellie, from Reddish, near Stockport. The Conway’s have had the 8 year old bay gelding, called Sam at home, for 18 months and got him to do showing. However, they also do Pony Club activities and compete in dressage and jumping when they are not in the show ring. Last year they finished 4th in the Show Pony class at the Great Yorkshire Show, 1st in the part bred arab class at Equifest and competed in the Show Pony class at Cheshire County. The pair recently took part in The Showing Register clinic and have been shortlisted for a place on their Master Class. “SFAS is the first show we have done so far this year. We plan to do Great Yorkshire, Cheshire County and Equifest again as well as the local shows at Mottram before heading to HOYS. This is everything she has ever wanted, she has been determined to get to HOYS since she was little”, said Debbie.

The South Essex Insurance Brokers Search For A Star Championship and Racehorse to Riding Horse Championship finals will be held at the Horse Of The Year Show, 9th – 13th October 2013, at NEC, Birmingham.